16 Februrary

February 16 2005 – The Kyoto Protocol Becomes BindingRate this post World map of countries who singed kyoto Protocol In a bid to bring the world’s industrialized nations under one umbrella to slow global warming, the Kyoto Protocol was signed by 83 nations near the end of 1997. Officially part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the environmental treaty came into effect officially on February 16, 2005 when Russia ratified the agreement. The years since have seen a number of twists and turns in the saga to minimize human effects on Mother Nature. As early as the middle of the 20th century, scientists began to study […]

February 16 1923 – Howard Carter opens the burial chamber of Pharaoh TutankhamunRate this post The New York Times called February 16, 1923, “perhaps, the most extraordinary day in the whole history of Egyptian excavation” – on this day celebrated Egyptologist and noted archeologist, Howard Carter, unsealed and opened the burial chamber of the 14th century pharaoh King Tutankhamun in the tomb popularly referred to as KV62 in the Valley of Kings near Cairo in Egypt. The tomb came to be known for many of its unique features. Apart from being one of the best preserved tombs in the valley till this day, it also became known for the stupendous […]

February 16 1959: Fidel Castro sworn-in as Prime Minister of CubaRate this post Fidel Castro was sworn-in as the Prime Minister of Cuba on February 16, 1959. Castro captured power after leading a guerrilla campaign that ousted right-wing dictator Fulgencio Batista. Batista, who was forced into exile, on January 1, 1959, fled to the Dominican Republic. Other rebel leaders did not have the kind of popular support Castro had and on February 16, he took over as the Prime Minister of the country. From 1976 till 2008, he served as the President of the country. Cuba, under Castro, was the first Communist state in the Western Hemisphere. The United States […]